Pinellas Park Police Charge Man with Sexual Battery after Standoff

After attacking his estranged wife, he drank insect poison and cut himself with a knife, according to the Pinellas Park Police Department. A patrol sergeant talked him out of the home where he had barricaded himself.

Franklin Ortiz, 37, of Pinellas Park, was charged with one count each of aggravated assault, sexual battery, domestic battery, and criminal mischief.

Ortiz and his wife have been separated for about three months. Police said that, about 11:30 a.m., the two had an argument over relationship issues.

During the argument, police said, Ortiz hit his wife with his hand, then got a kitchen knife and threatened her with it several times. Ortiz also took her cell phone and smashed it during the argument. Ortiz then sexually assaulted her.

After that, Ortiz told her to leave the house while he stayed behind. She left the apartment with a juvenile who was visiting in the home and called police.

Ortiz then drank aninsect poison and used another knife to self inflict cuts on his arms, officers said.

When Pinellas Park police patrol units arrived, they said, Ortiz barricaded himself inside the residence and refused to surrender to police custody. The Pinellas Park SWAT team was call, but while they were responding, a patrol sergeant, who is a former crisis negotiator, was able to talk Ortiz out of the residence. Ortiz was peacefully taken into custody after he surrendered.

Police took Ortiz to one hospital for medical clearance. His estranged wife was taken to another hospital for treatment for minor injuries.

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Pinellas Park Police Charge Man with Sexual Battery after Standoff

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After attacking his estranged wife, he drank insect poison and cut himself with a knife, according to the Pinellas Park Police Department. A patrol sergeant talked him out of the home where he had barricaded himself.